Delhi HC Allows ‘Batla House’ Release as Makers Agree to Changes

The film releases on 15 August.

A poster of John Abraham starrer Batla House.

(Photo Courtesy: Instagram)

John Abraham starrer Batla House, will be releasing on Independence Day as per schedule, after Delhi High Court gave it a go-ahead subject to some changes. The order passed by a Single Judge Bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru has stated some modifications and a disclaimer which the makers have agreed to.

The petition against the release of the film was filed by Ariz Khan and Shahzad Ahmed, who are facing trial in the Batla House encounter case. They sought to postpone the release until the trial against them is pending, saying it would affect their right to a free and fair trial.

The filmmakers will have to delete a bomb-making scene, and mute the word ‘mujahideen’ in the confession scene. The last scene of the film, showing the photograph of the Delhi Police Officer who led the Batla House encounter shall also be deleted.

According to the order passed, the film will now carry a disclaimer in the beginning clarifying that the film is inspired by Delhi Police and other details of events available in the public domain. A scene depicting a confession of one of the accused will have to be deleted.

The filmmakers will have to delete a bomb-making scene, and mute the word ‘mujahideen’ in the confession scene. The last scene of the film, showing the photograph of the Delhi Police Officer who led the Batla House encounter shall also be deleted.

With the order being passed, John Abraham and the makers of Batla House, released a statement thanking the Delhi HC.

“The makers of Batla House are overwhelmed and grateful to the Delhi High Court and its esteemed officers for viewing the sundry petitions against our film, in favour of releasing the film as planned and unhindered on August 15, 2019, Independence Day,” read the statement.

“The makers have conceded to the minor changes ordered by the esteemed court and are working tirelessly to have these reflected immediately. The makers also confirm that they are glad to do so to ensure all sentiments and rights of under trials are not influenced or impacted in any way, as per best efforts,”

<i>Batla House </i>makers

Operation Batla House took place against Indian Mujahideen terrorists in Batla House locality in Jamia Nagar, Delhi. The encounter took place a week after five serial blasts (on 13 September 2008) in Delhi which killed at least 30 people were killed and over 100 injured.

In the encounter two suspected terrorists were killed and two other suspects arrested, while one managed to escape. Starring John Abraham and Mrunal Thakur, Batla House is directed by Nikkhil Advani.